Ferry workers to strike next week

Published:10:44Wednesday 17 June 2015

Share this article

CalMac union RMT has confirmed a schedule of industrial action on Friday June 26th in a dispute over jobs, conditions and pensions.

The union are concerned about the future of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services and RMT members have voted by over 90% for action in a ballot that covers both strikes and action short of strikes. The action confirmed today is as follows:

Members will be instructed to take strike action as follows:-

• If the ship is in port then my members will be instructed not to ‘turn to’ (book on) for any duty that commences between 00:01 hours and 23:59 hours on Friday 26th June 2015.

This action is intended to be discontinuous.

Members will be instructed to take discontinuous industrial action in the form of an overtime and call back ban between:-

• 00:01 hours on Wednesday 24th June and 23:59 hours on Thursday 25th June 2015.

General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT members on CalMac rightly feel that they are caught in the crossfire of an unnecessary and damaging tendering battle that leaves jobs, conditions and pensions hanging by a thread. That is simply intolerable.

“As a result of the failure to give staff the most basic assurances we are now using the massive mandate secured in the ballot and confirming a programme of industrial action.

“RMT wants cast iron assurances and we want them now and we are prepar‎ed to engage in meaningful talks around that agenda as we prepare for the first phase of industrial action.”